System and method for updating a geographic database using satellite imagery

ABSTRACT

A reporting program and system for updating a master copy of a geographic database is disclosed. According to the method and system, reports are obtained that relate to data contained in a geographic database. Satellite images of the geographic locations represented by the data in the reports are obtained. The satellite images are analyzed to confirm a need to make changes to the master copy of the geographic database based on the reports. After confirming the need to make, the changes, the master copy of the geographic database is updated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for updating a geographicdatabase and more particularly, the present invention relates to aprocess and system that uses satellite imagery for verifying andprocessing updates to a master copy of a geographic database.

Geographic databases have various uses. Geographic databases are used inin-vehicle navigation systems, personal computers, networked computingenvironments, and various other kinds of platforms, as well as on theInternet. Geographic databases are used with various kinds ofapplications to provide various functions including map display, routecalculation, route guidance, truck fleet deployment, traffic control,electronic yellow pages, emergency services, and so on.

In order to provide these kinds of functions, a geographic databaseincludes data that represent geographic features in a covered geographicregion. Geographic databases include details about representedgeographic features, such as the geographic coordinates of roads in ageographic region, speed limits along the road segments, locations ofstop lights, turn restrictions at intersections of roads, addressranges, street names, and so on. Geographic databases may also includeinformation about points of interest in covered regions. Points ofinterest may include restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations,stadiums, police stations, and so on.

Collecting information for a geographic database is a significant task.According to one method, technicians (referred to herein as“researchers”) are assigned the task of collecting data for a geographicdatabase. Each researcher may physically travel throughout an assignedarea and record information about observed geographic features. While inthe field, the researcher may record the observed information byphysically writing on a printed copy of a map. For example, theresearcher may write a description about an attribute of a geographicfeature adjacent to the representation of the geographic feature on themap. Alternatively, the researcher may use a portable computer with adata collection program, as described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/256,389 or Ser. No. 09/335,122, the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference. After the data are collected inthe field, the researcher uses a computer program to enter data to amain (or master) copy of the geographic database. Working from themarked-up printed copy of the map, the researcher makes additions and/orchanges to the data in the master geographic database to reflect theactual geographic features observed by the researcher while out in thefield.

Beyond the initial effort involved in collecting data for a geographicdatabase, there is a continuing need to update and check the data in thegeographic database. Just like conventional printed maps, geographicdatabases become out-of-date. For example, new streets are constructed,street names change, traffic lights are installed, turn restrictions areadded to existing roads, businesses change locations, road constructioncloses roads, detours are established, museum and restaurant hourschange, etc. Thus, there exists a need to continue to collect updatedinformation for a geographic database and then add the updatedinformation to the geographic database.

One useful way to collect information for updating the geographicdatabase is to obtain feedback from end users who have navigationsystems or who use on-line sites that use copies of the geographicdatabase to provide navigation-related features. These end users maydiscover that certain geographic data are not correct or are inaccurate.A geographic database developer can take advantage of this situation byproviding a means by which end users can report the database errors orinaccuracies that they encounter. The error reporting system alsoprovides an opportunity for generating good will between the geographicdatabase developer and the end user.

End users can report perceived errors by telephone or by the Internet.An example of an error reporting Internet site can be found atwww.navtech.com/database/data_driver.html. In addition, error reportingsystems are disclosed in the copending patent application Ser. Nos.09/590,213 and 09/602,127, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

After receiving a report from an end user about a perceived error orinaccuracy in the geographic database, the geographic database developerconfirms that the error exists and then determines the correctinformation to be added to the master copy of the database. Sometimesthe error perceived by the end user is not due to incorrect data in thegeographic database, but instead is due to other factors, such as anerror in the navigation system software. In some cases, a geographicdatabase researcher may have to travel to the location of the perceivederror to obtain the correct information. After confirming reports fromend users, the geographic database researcher can make corrections to amaster copy of the geographic database, which is then used to make new,updated versions of geographic databases for use in navigation systemsor by on-line provider of navigation-related services.

Although the process works well, there still exists room forimprovement. For example, it is relatively time-consuming and expensiveto have a geographic database researcher travel out to the field tocheck each reported error. Accordingly, there exists a need for improvedways to handle the reporting of errors in the geographic database andthe updating of the master copy of the geographic database.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address these and other objectives, the present invention comprises areporting program and system for updating a master copy of a geographicdatabase. According to the method and system, reports are obtained thatrelate to data contained a geographic database. Satellite images of thegeographic locations represented by the data in the reports areobtained. The satellite images are analyzed to confirm a need to makechanges to the master copy of the geographic database based on thereports. After confirming the need to make the changes, the master copyof the geographic database is updated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system for updatinga geographic database.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of steps performed by the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the display screen of the of the geographic databaseresearcher's workstation shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a geographic database developer 100 operates anerror reporting system 102. The error reporting system 102 enables endusers 104 (e.g., persons who obtain navigation-related or map-relatedservices from navigation systems or from on-line providers of navigationservices) to submit reports 106 relating to perceived errors that theend users discover in the geographic data used in the navigation-relatedor map-related services that are obtained from navigation systems orfrom on-line providers of navigation services. The reports 106 are usedby the geographic database developer 100 to update a master copy 108 ofthe geographic database. After being updated, the master copy 108 of thegeographic database is used to make derived geographic database productsthat are subsequently used in navigation systems or by on-linenavigation services providers.

The error reporting system 102 may provide several different ways thatthe end users 104 can use to report errors. These ways include anon-line reporting program 112. The error reporting system 102 mayinclude other ways to report errors, such as telephone-based errorreporting and mail-based error reporting, described below.

FIG. 1 shows the on-line error reporting program 112 operated by thegeographic database developer 100. The on-line error reporting program112 is located on a server 120 that is connected to a network 130, suchas the Internet. End users 104 operate computing platforms 140 to accessthe on-line error reporting program 112. The computing platforms 140used by the end users 104 can be any type of device or system that isable to access the server 120 over the network 130. For example, thecomputing platforms 140 include personal computers 140(1) and vehiclenavigation systems 140(2). The computing platforms 140 may also includeother types of computing devices or systems, such as personal digitalassistants.

The computing platforms 140 used by the end users 104 includeappropriate software to access the server 120 over the network 130. Ifan end user uses a personal computer 140(1) to access the server 120,the on-line reporting program 112 may be accessed using an Internetbrowser. Other communications software may also be used.

As stated above, the end users 104 access the on-line reporting program112 in order to make reports about geographic data. In particular, theon-line reporting program 112 may be used by the geographic databasedeveloper 100 to obtain reports from the end users 104 about perceivederrors or inaccuracies in the geographic data used in the navigationsystems of the end users or by on-line provider sites that are used bythe end users to obtain navigation-related and map-related services. Theperceived errors or inaccuracies can be of any type and may beencountered in various different ways. One of the ways that end userscan encounter perceived errors or inaccuracies is during operation ofin-vehicle navigation systems. For example, while being guided to followa route to a destination, a navigation system may provide the end userwith incorrect, inaccurate or confusing guidance. According to thisexample, the navigation system may advise the end user to “TURN LEFT ATTHE NEXT INTERSECTION” but the next intersection has a sign thatprohibits left turns. According to another example, the navigationsystem may identify a street by a wrong name.

There are various reasons why a navigation system may provide incorrect,inaccurate or confusing guidance to an end user. One possible cause isthat the geographic data used by the navigation system may be incorrect.The geographic data may be incorrect because of an error made when thedata were being collected. Alternatively, the geographic data used bythe navigation system may be incorrect because the physical featurerepresented by the geographic data changed since the time the geographicdata used by the end user's system was collected.

Another possible cause for an end user receiving incorrect, inaccurateor confusing guidance from a navigation system can be an error in thesoftware programming in the navigation system. In this case, thegeographic data may be correct but the end user receives incorrect,inaccurate or confusing guidance because the software programming thenavigation system does not use the geographic data properly. Forexample, if the navigation system software determines a vehicle'sposition incorrectly, a wrong street name may be provided thereby givingthe end user the impression that the geographic data are incorrect whenin fact the navigation programming caused the error.

Another reason why a navigation system may provide incorrect orconfusing guidance is that the geographic data used by the navigationsystem may not include the attributes that are necessary to providebetter instructions. For instance, the data representing roads locatedin some geographic areas may not contain one-way street informationbecause this type of information has not yet been collected for thoseareas. Alternatively, the software programming in the navigation systemmay not consider one-way streets when providing driving directions.

As mentioned above, navigation-related and map-related services can alsobe obtained from on-line navigation services providers. End users mayaccess on-line navigation services provider sites from their ownpersonal computers or other platforms or appliances to obtainnavigation-related and map-related services. An end user using anon-line navigation services provider site to obtain navigation-relatedand map-related services may also encounter incorrect, inaccurate orconfusing information. On-line navigation services providers may use thesame or similar geographic data and software programming that are usedin vehicle navigation systems. Therefore, on-line navigation servicesprovider sites may give incorrect, inaccurate or confusingnavigation-related or map-related information for the same reasons asexplained above in connection with vehicle navigation systems.

Regardless of the cause of a perceived error, the reporting program 112provides a means by which a report about the perceived error can beobtained from an end user. As stated above, the end users 104 operatecomputing platforms 140 to access the reporting program 112. Thecomputing platform 140 used by an end user to access the reportingprogram 112 may not necessarily be the same computing platform that theend user was using when the navigation-related or map-relatedinformation containing the perceived error was obtained. For example, anend user may perceive an error with the geographic data used by his/hervehicle navigation system while driving in his/her vehicle, but thenaccesses the reporting program later at home using his/her personalcomputer with Internet access.

When the end user accesses the reporting program 112, the reportingprogram 110 presents the user with the option of making a report about ageographic database. When the end user chooses this option, thereporting program 112 may request the end user to identify the versionof the geographic database to which the report pertains. After the enduser supplies information identifying the version of the database, thereporting program 112 presents the end user with a means to describe theerror. The reporting program 112 may present the end user with a meansto provide text input. The reporting program 112 may also provide theend user with a graphical interface so that the end user can indicate achange graphically, e.g., by drawing on a map.

After the end user has completed the report, the reporting program 112saves the end user's input in a report file database 248. The data inthe report file database 248 are used in a geographic database updatingprocess 300. The geographic database updating process 300 is performedby the geographic database developer. According to one embodiment, theprocess 300 is performed by a technician (i.e., a researcher) workingfor the geographic database developer 100. The researcher works on acomputer workstation 302 which may be any suitable networked computerhardware platform, such as a personal computer, a terminal, etc.

FIG. 2 show the steps performed by the geographic database updatingprocess 300. The steps in FIG. 2 may be performed by the researcher oralternatively, the steps may be performed by a computer program withinput from the researcher.

The geographic database updating process 300 receives the data from thereports database 248 (Step 310). In one embodiment, a grouping step isperformed (Step 312). According to this embodiment, a relatively largenumber of separate reports are analyzed to determine whether asignificant number of them all relate to the same location. In apreferred embodiment, the grouping step is performed by a softwareroutine that is part of the geographic database updating process.According to this embodiment, each report 106 identifies the geographiclocation of the reported error. The software routine identifies all thereports that relate to the same, or substantially the same, location. Ifa number of reports all relate to the same location, these reports mayall relate to the same problem and therefore may be processed together.Also, if a number of reports all relate to the same area, they may beassigned a higher priority than reports that relate to isolated areas.

According to another step of the process 300, the subject matter of eachreport (or a grouping of more than one report) is analyzed to determinewhether the type of error being reported can be confirmed usingsatellite imagery (Step 314). Some types of reported errors, such asaddresses, street names, business names, or sign text, may not besuitable for confirmation by satellite imagery. Other types of reportederrors are suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery. The types ofreported errors that are suitable for confirmation by satellite imageryinclude, but are not limited to, road geometry, placement of roadwaydividers, the number of roadway lanes, roadway lane widths, roadwaytraffic direction restrictions (e.g., one-way streets), turnrestrictions along a road, whether a road is paved, road connectivity,the presence and locations of overpasses, bridges, tunnels, ramps, turnlanes, frontage roads, railroad tracks, railroad terminals, tollways,toll booths, road construction, train stations, ferries, bordercrossings, marinas, certain types of points of interest (e.g., amusementparks, golf courses, and stadiums), certain types of intersections(e.g., roundabouts), and possibly functional classes of roads. Inaddition, satellite imagery can also be used to confirm errors abouttypes of geographic features, such as lakes, rivers, parks, and so on.

If a report relates to a type of error that is not suitable forconfirmation by satellite imagery, the report is designated forconfirmation by field inspection. These reports are forwarded toresearchers who will travel out to the locations of the reported errors,confirm the errors, determine the appropriate corrections to make to themaster copy of the geographic database, and then make the appropriatecorrections.

After any grouping of reports occurs and any reports that are notsuitable for confirmation by satellite imagery are excluded, a satelliteimage of the location of each of the reported errors is obtained (Step320). According to one embodiment, the satellite images arehigh-resolution images that have an accuracy of approximately 1 meter.

An archive 322 of previously obtained satellite images is reviewed todetermine whether a recently obtained satellite image of the area thatcontains the reported error is available (Step 324). The archive 322 maybe maintained by the geographic database developer 100. The archive 322may be stored on a server that is accessible to the developer'sworkstation (302 in FIG. 1). In the archive 322, each satellite image isassociated with a date. The date indicates when the satellite image wastaken. The date of the satellite image is compared to an expirationschedule. The expiration schedule relates a type of error with an age ofa satellite image. For some types of reported errors, the process 300requires that the satellite image be relatively new, e.g., less than 30days old, whereas for other types of reported errors, a relatively olderimage (e.g., up to 12 months) will be suitable.

If a satellite image is available from the database developer's archive322 and meets the requirements for being recent enough, the satelliteimage 326 is provided to the process 300 (Step 328). If the databasedeveloper's archive 322 does not have a satellite image that containsthe area of the reported error or if the satellite image in the archive322 is too old, a new satellite image is obtained from a satellite imagefirm 330 (Step 332). (The satellite image firm may be a commercial firm,such as Earthwatch.) The researcher may need to specify the area for thenew satellite image or the area may be automatically extracted from thereport by the software included in the process 300. The satellite imagefirm 330 may have the image taken. Alternatively, the satellite imagefirm 330 may be able to provide the image from its own archive if theimage is new enough to meet the requirements of the database developer'sexpiration schedule. The satellite image firm may deliver the image tothe researcher electronically, e.g., on-line via a network, or may sendan electronic or analog image by mail.

The process 300 obtains data 338 from the master copy 108 that relate tothe area of the reported error (Step 340). The data 338 from the mastercopy 108 are presented to the database developer researcher, along withthe satellite image 326 and the report (Step 344). The data 338 from themaster copy 108, the satellite image 326 and the report may be presentedto the researcher on a display screen of the workstation (302 in FIG. 1)used by the researcher to perform the updating process 300.

The data 338, the satellite image 326 and the report may be presented tothe researcher in various different ways. In one embodiment, thesatellite image 326 is presented to the researcher as a background andthe data 338 from the master copy of the geographic database 108 areoverlaid on the image 326. The report may be displayed in a window onthe display screen. By overlaying the data 338 from the master copy ofthe database over the satellite image 326, the researcher can determinewhether the data 338 from the master copy of the geographic databasecorrectly represent the actual geographic features. The information fromthe report can be used to identify the perceived error and also toindicate what the end user perceived the error to be.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen 350 of the researcher'sworkstation 302. Shown as a background on the display screen 350 is thesatellite image 326. The satellite image 326 shows portions of severalroads. Overlaid on the satellite image 326 are representations ofseveral road segments 354. The representations of road segments 354 areformed using the data 338 from the master copy of the geographicdatabase.

To assist the researcher, the position of the reported error may belocated at the center of the display screen 350. The position of thereported error may be highlighted or a square, circle, or other shapemay be generated about the position of the reported error.Alternatively, the corresponding latitude and longitude may be displayedas the researcher moves a cursor over the image so that the researchercan find the position of the reported error.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of showing the representations ofgeographic features from the data in the geographic database as anoverlay on the satellite image, the representations of geographicfeatures from the data in the geographic database can be shownside-by-side with the satellite image on the display screen of theresearcher's workstation.

Referring again to FIG. 2, based on the satellite image 326, andpossibly the report 106, the researcher inputs a correction to themaster copy of the geographic database (Step 360). The input may relateto road geometry, i.e., that a road is not where the database representsit to be. The input may relate to lane dividers, number of roadwaylanes, roadway lane widths, roadway traffic direction restrictions(e.g., one-way streets), turn restrictions along a road, whether a roadis paved, or numerous other changes. In addition, satellite imagery canalso be used to confirm changes about other types of geographicfeatures, such as lakes, rivers, parks, or recreational areas (includinggolf courses, stadiums, and so on). Based on the input from theresearcher, the master copy of the geographic database 108 is updated(Step 370). The updated master copy of the geographic is then used tomake updated versions of derived geographic database products that areused in end users' navigation systems and by on-line providers ofnavigation-related and map-related services.

If a new satellite image was obtained (instead of using an image fromthe database developer's archive), a copy of the new satellite image isstored in the archive for possible future use.

Alternatives

In the embodiment described above, satellite images were obtained, asneeded, to confirm reported errors received from end users. In analternative embodiment, a complete collection of satellite images can beobtained for the entire coverage area of the master copy of thegeographic database (or portions thereof). These images can be stored inan archive maintained by the geographic database developer. Then, whenan image is needed to confirm a reported error, the image can beobtained immediately from the archive. Some or all the images stored inthe archive can be periodically updated.

In one embodiment, a grid is defined that overlays the entire coveragearea of the master copy of the geographic database. Then, when asatellite image is needed, the satellite image is obtained so that itcorresponds to a cell of the grid. In this manner, satellite images arenot obtained that substantially overlap each other, thereby making theprocess of obtaining satellite images more efficient.

As mentioned above, the geographic database developer operates areporting system 102 that enables end users to make reports aboutperceived errors in the geographic data. In the embodiment describedabove, the reporting system 102 includes an on-line reporting program(112 in FIG. 1) that enables end users to make reports via a networkusing their computer platforms. In an alternative embodiment, end userscan make reports about geographic data by means other than over anetwork. For example, an end user may make a report by telephone.According to this alternative, the end user uses a telephone to reportan error to a human operator. The human operator obtains the necessaryinformation from the end user and submits a report which is then handledin a manner similar to the reports that are submitted using the on-linereporting program (102 in FIG. 1), described above. Alternatively, theend user uses a telephone to report an error to a telephone reportingprogram that prompts the end user to make a report using the keys of thetelephone. According to another alternative, the end user uses atelephone to dictate a description of the error on a recording device(such as an answering machine) that is operated by the databasedeveloper. An employee of the database developer then listens to themessage and generates a report that is handled in a manner similar tothe reports that are submitted using the on-line reporting program.

In another alternative, the end user may submit a report by mail. Areport submitted by mail may be transcribed into electronic form andprocessed in the manner described above.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded asillustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that thefollowing claims including all equivalents are intended to define thescope of the invention.

1. A method for updating a master copy of a geographic databasecomprising: obtaining a report about errors in data that representgeographic features; identifying a location of at least one of saiderrors; determining whether said report is suitable for confirmation bysatellite imagery; if said report is suitable for confirmation bysatellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image containing said locationof said error; and determining from the satellite image appropriatechanges to make to the master copy of the geographic database to correctsaid error in said data that represent said geographic feature.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: prior to the step of obtaining,grouping reports about errors that relate to the same geographicfeature.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: prior to the stepof obtaining, grouping repots about errors that relate to the samegeographic feature so that only one satellite image needs to be obtainedto determine the appropriate change to make to the master copy of thegeographic database with respect to the data that represent thatgeographic feature.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: priorto the step of obtaining, grouping reports about errors that relate togeographic features that are located close to each other so that onlyone satellite image needs to be obtained to determine the appropriatechanges to make to the master copy of the geographic database withrespect to the data that represent those geographic features.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: assigning a higher priority toreports about errors that relate to the same geographic feature.
 6. Amethod of updating a master copy of a geographic database comprising:obtaining a report relating to at least one geographic feature;identifying a location corresponding to said report; determining whethersaid report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if saidreport is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining asatellite image of the location corresponding to said report; analyzingthe satellite image to determine how to update the master copy of thegeographic database; and updating the master copy of the geographicdatabase.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the satellite image isobtained by ordering from a commercial satellite image provider.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising the step of: prior to obtaining thesatellite image, confirming that a current satellite image is notavailable in a satellite image archive; and then ordering the satelliteimage from a commercial satellite image provider.
 9. The method of claim6 wherein the satellite image has at least approximately 1 meteraccuracy.
 10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:after the step of obtaining the satellite image, displaying thesatellite image at a workstation of a geographic database developer. 11.The method of claim 10 further comprising: indicating a position on thesatellite image being displayed wherein the position corresponds to thereported geographic location.
 12. The method of claim 6 furthercomprising: indicating latitude and longitude coordinates correspondingto a position of a movable cursor.
 13. The method of claim 6 furthercomprising: while displaying the satellite image at a workstation of ageographic database researcher, displaying geographic featuresrepresented by data contained in the master copy of the geographicdatabase at a workstation indicating a position on the satellite imagebeing displayed wherein the position corresponds to the reportedgeographic location.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:overlaying the geographic features represented by the data contained inthe master copy of the geographic database over the satellite imagebeing displayed at the workstation.
 15. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising: displaying the geographic features represented by the datacontained in the master copy of the geographic database and thesatellite image side-by-side on the workstation.
 16. The method of claim10 further comprising: while displaying the satellite image at aworkstation of a geographic database developer, displaying the reportsubmitted by an end user including explanatory text provided therewith.17. The method of claim 6 further comprising: providing an on-lineprogram accessible to the end users; and with the on-line program,allowing the end user to submit the report.
 18. The method of claim 6wherein said satellite image is obtained from an archive.
 19. The methodof claim 18 further comprising: prior to analyzing said satellite image,confirming that said satellite image was taken recently enough dependingon a type of updating to be made to said master copy of said geographicdatabase.
 20. The method of claim 6 wherein the satellite image isobtained from a central server of a geographic database developer. 21.The method of claim 6 further comprising: defining a grid that overlaysa geographic coverage area corresponding to said geographic database,wherein said satellite image corresponds to a cell of said grid.
 22. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the report relates to roadway geometry. 23.The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to a placement of aroadway divider.
 24. The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates toa number of roadway lanes.
 25. The method of claim 6 wherein the reportrelates to roadway lane widths.
 26. The method of claim 6 wherein thereport relates to roadway direction restrictions.
 27. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the report relates to a turn restriction along a road.28. The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to whether a roadis paved.
 29. The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to alake, river, park, or recreational area.
 30. A method of updating ageographic database including data that represents geographic feature ina geographic region comprising: obtaining a report indicating a locationof an error in data representing the geographic feature in thegeographic region; determining whether said report relates to a type oferror that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if saidreport does relate to the type of error that is suitable forconfirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image of thelocation; analyzing the satellite image to determine a correction to thedata, said correction to the data accurately representing the geographicfeature; and updating the geographic database with the correction. 31.The method of claim 30 further comprising: if said report does notrelate to a type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satelliteimagery, designating the location for review by field inspection.